Free Press sports writers Dave Birkett and Carlos Monarrez discuss what it will take for the Lions to defeat the Ravens in Baltimore on Sunday, then predict the outcome. Recorded Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017.
Detroit Free Press

The Detroit Lions made a subtle change to their dime defensive package the last two weeks, benching rookie linebacker Jarrad Davis in favor of veteran Tahir Whitehead.

Davis, the Lions' first-round pick, has been a liability in pass coverage much of the year, and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said it was time to put the team's well-being in front of Davis' development.

"At this point in the season, we want him to develop, but we can’t have him develop at the chance that we’re sitting a guy that can probably do that position better at this particular time," Austin said. "And Jarrad will get better because he’s working at it, he’s getting reps in practice, but right now we think in some of those positions that Tahir is going to be a better fit for us right now."

Whitehead, who leads the Lions with 59 tackles, played all 74 defensive snaps in last week's loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the first time he's reached 100% playtime with Davis healthy this year.

Davis, the 21st pick of April's draft, has lived up to his billing as a punishing tackler, but he's also struggled to cover tight ends and running backs downfield.

Though Whitehead changed positions to accommodate Davis this spring, moving from middle to outside linebacker, Austin said Whitehead was "doing really well in terms of how he was handling the coverage" before returning to an every-down role.

"So we wanted to put, like anything, whatever we think is best for us to win that game," Austin said. "We’re looking to win the game."

'Interesting times'

Arizona State is reportedly close to hiring Herm Edwards to fill its coaching vacancy, which would seem to take Austin out of the mix of returning to college.

Jim Bob Cooter's alma matter Tennessee, however, still has a vacancy that he's been rumored to be a candidate for.

Asked on Thursday if he has any interest in succeeding Butch Jones as coach, Cooter said, "I have no interest in discussing that here."

Cooter played as a backup quarterback at Tennessee and was a graduate assistant at the school before leaving for the NFL in 2009.

He said he's focused on Sunday's game against the Ravens, and not concerned about Tennessee's wild coaching search. The Vols backed out of a reported deal with Greg Schiano after fan backlash about his time at Penn State, and were linked to and rebuffed by North Carolina State's Dave Doeren and Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy.

"Sounds like an interesting time down there, that’s what I make of it," Cooter said.

As for Austin, he said neither he nor his agent has had any contact with Arizona State.

Both Austin and Cooter could get interest for NFL head-coaching opportunities this off-season, and both prefer to stay in the NFL.